Ex-Lafayette narcotics chief admits doctor-shopping for drugs

OXFORD – Former Lafayette County drug-squad chief Searn Lynch faces up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine after admitting to illegal doctor-shopping to obtain drugs.
The 38-year-old Oxford man appeared before Senior U.S. District Judge Neal B. Biggers Jr. on Monday and admitted to one of two counts in his federal indictment.
The former Oxford Police detective was indicted Jan. 28, accused of doctor-shopping for prescription painkillers and other drugs and, as a law enforcement officer, he carried a firearm while committing the crime.
The second count will be dismissed at sentencing, prosecutors agreed in exchange for his guilty plea.
Lynch was accused in a five-year scheme to acquire 831 doses of painkillers and other drugs from 17 different health care providers from 2007-2012.
He was chief of the Oxford-Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit before joining OPD.
Before he is sentenced, the court must receive a report about him prepared by the U.S. Probation Service. Often, it takes months to complete the report.
patsy.brumfield@journalinc.com